Library Cards – ConnectED

How should ConnectED students lists be submitted?

Student lists should be sent to connected@slcl.org and should be in a CSV or Excel file format. Please include the following information: student first name, student last name, and student ID number.

Your school's Memorandum shows your preferred submission interval, but you are welcome to send student lists at any time throughout the school year. We recommend submitting lists at least once at the beginning of every semester to make sure new students who start in the middle of the school year also receive a ConnectED card.
 

Can educators sign up for ConnectED access?

Absolutely! Teachers, librarians, and other educators can be included when a school submits their student list for the semester. If staff do not have a unique ID number that we can use to generate their library card numbers, we can assign educators a random card number.
 

What steps are taken to safeguard student privacy?

Public libraries like us take patron privacy and data security seriously. Per the American Library Association Code of Ethics, libraries have an obligation to "protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted."

We have taken additional steps beyond our usual safeguards to ensure the privacy of participants in the ConnectED program. We do not require a student's address, phone number, or verification of identity as we do to create a regular library account. Instead, we collect only a student's name and student ID number, which is used along with the school's DESE code to generate each library card number. 

All student data is kept confidential as required by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This obligation is outlined in the written Memorandum of Understanding signed by each school district and St. Louis County Library.

What library card number do students use to log in?

Students use their school or district's three-digit DESE number followed by their student ID as their library card number. Schools that do not use a student ID system will have randomly generated library card numbers.
 

What is the default ConnectED PIN?

The default PIN is 1234. This can be changed upon request.
 

Do ConnectED cards expire?

Yes. ConnectED cards are renewed by a school or district at the beginning of the school year and are set to expire in the December following the end of that school year. If a card has expired, either the student's school has not sent a student list for the current school year or the student is no longer enrolled at a school or district that participates in ConnectED.
 

Do ConnectED accounts accrue late fines or other fees?

Because students are only accessing electronic materials that return automatically on the due date, ConnectED virtual cards are never charged late fines or billed for missing items.

Do ConnectED cards work wtih OverDrive's Sora app?

Yes, absolutely. Many schools are interested in having students pair their ConnectED accounts with Sora, an eMedia app created by OverDrive specifically for schools. SLCL's digital collection is fully accessible on both the free Sora Starter and full Sora platforms and can be added to a school's resources either by clicking the "Add Library" button in Sora and entering the student's library card number and PIN, or seamlessly through OverDrive's Public Library CONNECT feature.

Unlike Libby, Sora offers built-in content filtering based on BISAC code and displays only age-appropriate materials. Find out more about Sora on OverDrive's website.
 

Do ConnectED cards work with Hoopla and Kanopy?

Hoopla and Kanopy access is reserved for patrons with a resident card type. Students are eligible for a resident card in addition to their ConnectED card if they live in the Library district. To obtain a resident card, they may visit any branch.

Applicants under the age of 18 must visit the library with a parent or legal guardian to apply for a minor resident card. Permission to obtain a card for the minor must be granted by the minor's parent or legal guardian. Identification showing the current address for the minor must be presented by the minor or the parent or legal guardian. Parents and legal guardians should note that the minor must be physically present to be issued a card.
 

My student is having difficulty accessing a database. Why are they being asked to enter additional credentials beyond their library card number and PIN?

Students and teachers should make sure they use our Research and Learn portal as the starting point when working with databases. Many of our subscription databases need to be accessed through a special link, which means that using a search engine to find the database won't always lead you to the correct login page.
 

How can I learn more about library resources or schedule a visit from a librarian for my school?

Our Reference Department is happy to schedule one-on-one appointments or set up group outreach sessions with educators, parents, or entire classrooms. During outreach, our reference librarians cover topics like research and databases, internet safety, professional development, and much, much more.

I have a student who needs immediate library access for an assignment. Can you create individual ConnectED cards?

This is possible in cases of urgent need if a new or transfer student needs access before the school has sent their next card update. Please email connected@slcl.org with the student's first name, last name, and student ID number.
 

A student's parent or guardian would like to have their child's ConnectED access revoked. Can you delete individual ConnectED cards?

Yes, absolutely. We can delete ConnectED accounts upon request.
 

I am a parent or guardian who visits the library with my child. Can we check out materials on my child's ConnectED account?

Because ConnectED cards are created for virtual access, patrons cannot check out physical materials on these accounts. However, students may have both a ConnectED virtual card and a standard, free library card for personal use provided they live within the St. Louis County Library District or its reciprocal area. To obtain a personal card, visit any branch with the necessary documents or register online. For more information, call 314-994-3300.